Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhao Liang, Qurban Ali, Yujie Wang, Guangyuan Mu, Xuefei Kan, Yajun Ren, Hakim Manghwar, Qin Gu, Huijun Wu, Xuewen Gao
Summary: The Bt strains GBAC46 and NMTD81, as well as the biological strain FZB42, showed high nematicidal activity against the plant parasitic nematode Aphelenchoides besseyi. They also promoted rice growth and induced expression of defense-related genes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yongbo Yang, Xiaoying Huang, Wanli Yuan, Yang Xiang, Xueqin Guo, Wei Wei, Mario Soberon, Alejandra Bravo, Kaiyu Liu
Summary: The study found that Cry toxins induce autophagy only in susceptible cell lines, depending on AMPK and JNK pathways. Inhibiting autophagy delays cell death triggered by Cry toxins.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Zhe Chen, Yiting Shi, Dongdong Wang, Xiaoyu Liu, Xuyao Jiao, Xiang Gao, Kun Jiang
Summary: This study elucidated the structure of monomeric Sip1Ab using X-ray crystallography. The results revealed that Sip1Ab has the three domains and conserved fold characteristic of other aerolysin-like beta-pore-forming toxins. Based on the sequence and structural similarities, the mechanism of these proteins was proposed to be common.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Hualin Liu, Jinshui Zheng, Dexin Bo, Yun Yu, Weixing Ye, Donghai Peng, Ming Sun
Summary: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin genes have been widely utilized in genetically modified crops for pest control. The web-based tool BtToxin_Digger efficiently mines toxin genes from large-scale sequence data, enabling accurate prediction and downstream analysis and testing. This versatile tool can also be used to mine other targeting genes from genome and metagenome data with database replacement.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Theju Jacob, Theodore W. Kahn
Summary: Researchers propose a deep learning model to identify pore-forming proteins, which has the ability to discover novel pore-formers without sequence similarity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kohar Annie B. Kissoyan, Lena Peters, Christoph Giez, Jan Michels, Barbara Pees, Inga K. Hamerich, Hinrich Schulenburg, Katja Dierking
Summary: The effects of the natural microbiota on the physiology of Caenorhabditis elegans are still not fully understood. This study found that certain microbiota members affect worm lifespan, fertility, and intestinal colonization, highlighting the blurred line between beneficial and harmful microorganisms.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Tingting Xu, Yinhao Wang, Yueqin Wang, Sijia Bi, Benjin Hu, Fei Hu, Lina Xu
Summary: In this study, the midgut bacterial community of Ostrinia furnacalis was examined using high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that the diversity of gut bacteria was significantly lower in Bt-resistant strains compared to Bt-susceptible strains. The composition and interactions of the bacterial community were also more complex in Bt-resistant strains. Additionally, the elimination of gut bacteria led to a significant reduction in mortality caused by Cry1Ab toxin in Bt-resistant strains.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nathalia Nocchi, Alejandro Gonzalez-Orive, Alberto Hernandez-Creus, Jacob Lorenzo-Morales, Adriana Rodriguez, Rodrigo Morchon, Ana R. Diaz-Marrero, Jose J. Fernandez
Summary: Millepora alcicornis, also known as fire coral, is a tropical hydrozoa species that produces thermolabile proteins, including phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and alciporin, a pore-forming protein (PFP). The venom contained in the nematocysts of this species displays hemolytic activity primarily through the action of alciporin, which targets sphingomyelin. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the evolution of hemolytic damage at the nanoscale.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Sabino Pacheco, Isabel Gomez, Marcos Chinas, Jorge Sanchez, Mario Soberon, Alejandra Bravo
Summary: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are soil bacteria that produce insecticidal proteins used for pest control. Genomic characterization of Bt strains provides valuable pesticidal protein resources with potential biotechnological applications. The sequenced Bt GR007 strain contains multiple genes coding for pesticidal proteins and virulent factors, which show differential toxicity against different insect larvae.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Yajuan Li, Yuelong Li, Hylemariam Mihiretie Mengist, Cuixiao Shi, Caiying Zhang, Bo Wang, Tingting Li, Ying Huang, Yuanhong Xu, Tengchuan Jin
Summary: Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) are a major virulence factor of many pathogenic bacteria, with well-characterized structural basis and interactions with host cell membranes. Understanding the mechanisms of PFTs can contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies and combat bacterial antibiotic resistance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Niramon Thamwiriyasati, Chalermpol Kanchanawarin, Chompounoot Imtong, Chun -Jung Chen, Hui -Chun Li, Chanan Angsuthanasombat
Summary: This study reveals the 3D structure and pore architecture of the Cry4Ba mosquito-active toxin, highlighting the importance of two critical loop residues.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Aroosha Faheem, Yuqing Qin, Wenrui Nan, Yonggang Hu
Summary: Genetically modified insect-resistant organisms have been commercialized globally for nearly 20 years, with less emphasis placed on quantifying Cry toxins. This study reviews immunoassays as the preferred method for detecting Cry toxins, assessing the benefits of modified immunoassays based on nanomaterials for ultrasensitive detection.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Fang Guan, Bofeng Hou, Xiaoguang Dai, Sitong Liu, Juanjuan Liu, Yan Gu, Lin Jin, Yihua Yang, Jeffrey A. Fabrick, Yidong Wu
Summary: The dominant resistance to Cry1Ac Bt cotton in northern China is increasing due to a mutation in the HaTSPAN1 gene, showing over 125-fold resistance. Research indicates that this mutation originated from at least four independent events, highlighting the need for additional resistance management in these areas.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Lu Liu, Zhou Li, Xing Luo, Xia Zhang, Shan-Ho Chou, Jieping Wang, Jin He
Summary: This article reviews the insecticidal mechanisms of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins and the resistance mechanisms of insects against Cry toxins, proposing that new models are required to fully describe the complexity of the insecticidal process. Insects mainly employ gene mutations or trans-regulation to reduce effective binding of Cry toxins, with epigenetic mechanisms, host intestinal microbiota, and detoxification enzymes also playing significant roles in resistance. High-throughput sequencing technologies are powerful tools for studying these mechanisms and may facilitate the further development and utilization of Cry toxins.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Qilin Li, Mengge Li, Mengyao Zhu, Jielai Zhong, Liang Wen, Jie Zhang, Ruonan Zhang, Qiang Gao, Xiao-Qiang Yu, Yuzhen Lu
Summary: Cadherin, aminopeptidase N (APN) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) have been identified as Cry receptors, with multiple paralogs found in ALPs and APNs. Different insects show sensitivity or insensitivity to Bt toxins based on the presence or absence of BtR orthologs. The expression levels of BtR and Cad89D-like genes are highly correlated with Cry toxin sensitivity in larvae of certain insect species.
Meeting Abstract
Biophysics
Juan Zhao, Rikard Blunck
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2018)
Meeting Abstract
Biophysics
Juan Zhao, Rikard Blunck
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yoann Lussier, Oliver Furst, Eva Fortea, Marc Leclerc, Dimitri Priolo, Lena Moeller, Daniel G. Bichet, Rikard Blunck, Nazzareno D'Avanzo
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lou Beaulieu-Laroche, Marine Christin, Annmarie Donoghue, Francina Agosti, Noosha Yousefpour, Hugues Petitjean, Albena Davidova, Craig Stanton, Uzair Khan, Connor Dietz, Elise Faure, Tarheen Fatima, Amanda MacPherson, Stephanie Mouchbahani-Constance, Daniel G. Bisson, Lisbet Haglund, Jean A. Ouellet, Laura S. Stone, Jonathan Samson, Mary-Jo Smith, Kjetil Ask, Alfredo Ribeiro-da-Silva, Rikard Blunck, Kate Poole, Emmanuel Bourinet, Reza Sharif-Naeini
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lena Moller, Glenn Regnier, Alain J. Labro, Rikard Blunck, Dirk J. Snyders
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juan Zhao, Dimitri Petitjean, Georges A. Haddad, Zarah Batulan, Rikard Blunck
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lena Moller, Glenn Regnier, Alain J. Labro, Dirk J. Snyders, Rikard Blunck
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paola Imbrici, Andrea Accogli, Rikard Blunck, Concetta Altamura, Michele Iacomino, Maria Cristina D'Adamo, Anna Allegri, Marina Pedemonte, Noemi Brolatti, Stella Vari, Matteo Cataldi, Valeria Capra, Stefano Gustincich, Federico Zara, Jean-Francois Desaphy, Chiara Fiorillo
Summary: Mutations in the KCNA1 gene are classically associated with episodic ataxia type 1, but can also lead to various symptoms including neuromyotonia. A novel de novo variant, T268K, was identified in this study, disrupting Kv1.1 function and causing neuromyotonia, muscle hypertrophy, and skeletal deformities.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristina Balla, Elena Conte, Rita Selvatici, Rene Massimiliano Marsano, Andrea Gerbino, Marianna Farne, Rikard Blunck, Francesco Vitali, Annarita Armaroli, Alessandro Brieda, Antonella Liantonio, Annamaria De Luca, Alessandra Ferlini, Claudio Rapezzi, Matteo Bertini, Francesca Gualandi, Paola Imbrici
Summary: This study presents the clinical findings of two Italian families with Brugada syndrome and characterizes two novel SCN5A mutations. The Pro1310Leu mutation resulted in reduced sodium current density while the Gly1687_Ile1688insGlyArg mutation led to nearly undetectable sodium current, which could be partially restored with mexiletine incubation. These findings suggest a genotype-phenotype correlation that may guide therapeutic interventions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paola Imbrici, Elena Conte, Rikard Blunck, Fabrizia Stregapede, Antonella Liantonio, Michele Tosi, Maria Cristina D'Adamo, Annamaria De Luca, Vesna Brankovic, Ginevra Zanni
Summary: Kv1.2 channels encoded by the KCNA2 gene regulate neuronal excitability and mutations in KCNA2 have been associated with a range of symptoms. A novel E236K variant in KCNA2 was identified in a patient with ataxia and epilepsy, showing altered biophysical properties compared to the wild-type channel. Functional studies suggest that variant-tailored therapeutic approaches, such as 4-AP treatment, may benefit patients with KCNA2 disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giorgia Dinoi, Michael Morin, Elena Conte, Hagar Mor Shaked, Maria Antonietta Coppola, Maria Cristina D'Adamo, Orly Elpeleg, Antonella Liantonio, Inbar Hartmann, Annamaria De Luca, Rikard Blunck, Angelo Russo, Paola Imbrici
Summary: Mutations in the KCNA1 gene are associated with various neurological phenotypes. This study functionally characterized a KCNA1 mutant channel and found a correlation between the mutation and clinical symptoms. The study also supported the effectiveness of certain drugs in treating KCNA1-related epilepsy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shreyas Bhat, Rikard Blunck
Summary: Ion channels play a crucial role in various biological processes, and understanding their structure-function relationships is essential. Fluorescence spectroscopy techniques provide a way to bridge the gap between structural information and functional data, allowing real-time observation of ion channel behavior and insights into their membrane trafficking and expression.
BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dorota Focht, Caroline Neumann, Joseph Lyons, Ander Eguskiza Bilbao, Rickard Blunck, Lina Malinauskaite, Ilona O. Schwarz, Jonathan A. Javitch, Matthias Quick, Poul Nissen
Summary: The flexibility of the GMG motif in the unwound region of MhsT is crucial for recognizing substrates of different sizes by tailoring the binding site shape and volume. Mutants with substitutions in the GMG loop and substrate binding pocket showed impaired transport of aromatic amino acids that require a larger binding site volume, indicating a common mechanism for substrate recognition and translocation by SLC6 transporters.
Meeting Abstract
Biophysics
Lena Moeller, Alain J. Labro, Dirk J. Snyders, Rikard Blunck
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2020)
Meeting Abstract
Biophysics
Roshan Pandey, Tanja U. Kalstrup, Rikard Blunck
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2020)